Entropy: two short stories
Theoretical Physics - From Outer Space to Plasma · Oxford University
December 3, 201839m 53s
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Show Notes
John Chalker, Head of Theoretical Physics, gives a talk on entropy. Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics give us two alternative ways of thinking about entropy: in terms of heat flow, or in terms of the number of micro-states available to a system. John Chalker will describe a physical setting to illustrate each of these. By applying thermodynamics in a realm far beyond its origins, we can use the notion of an ideal heat engine to find the temperature of a black hole. And by applying combinatorial mathematics to hydrogen bonding, we can find the entropy of ice.